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Cbe Cost 

new Vear i 




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ACTING PLAYS 

DRILLS AND MARCHES 

EN f ERTAINMENTS 

A new copyright series suitable for amateur representation, especially- 
adapted to the uses of schools. The Plavs are fresh and bright; the Drills 
AND Marches meet the requirements of both sexes, of various ages ; the 
ENTERTAINMENTS are the best of their sort. The Prices are Fifteen 

( ents each, unless another price is stated. Figures in the right hand 
columns denote the number of characters. M, male ; F, female. 

One=Act Farces and Comediettas 

(15 CENTS EACH.) m.F. 

An Irish Engagement (lively and laughable) 4 2 

Popping the Question (always brings down the house) 2 4 

Which is Which? (graceful, comical and bright) 3 3 

Lend Me Five Shillings (provokes continuous mirth) 5 2 

How to Tame Your Mothsr-in-Law (extravagantly comical) 4 2 

Mulcahy'S Cat (Irish low life — Harrigan style) 2 1 

All in der Family (comic Dutch character sketch) 4 2 

Funnibone'S Fix (the woes of an Editor) 6 2 

A Cup of Tea (spirited and popular ; acts well) 3 i 

To Let — Furnished (has a good " dude " character) 3 i 

The Obstinate Family (one of the funniest of farces) 3 3 

IVIore Blunders Than One (comic Irish character) 4 3 

The Stage-Struck Yanl<e9 (funny straight through) 4 2 

The Vermont Wool Dealer (suits everybody) 5 3 

The Women's Club ("The Broken-Hearted Club") 4 8 

Twenty and Forty (has a frisky old-maid part) 4 6 

Betsey Baker (creates explosive laughter) 2 2 

Freezing a Mother-in- Law (a screaming, farce^ 3 2 

At Sixes and Sevens (a gay piece— sure to make a hit) 3 4 

Change Partners (comic and vivacious) 2 3 

A Dark Noight's Business (full of real Irish fun) 3 i 

A Purt^ Shure Cure (comic, with a temperance moral) 2 i 

My Neighbor's Wife (sprightly and ludicrous) , 3 3 

Who Got the Pig? (An Irish jury case). 3 i 

Turn Him Out (wildly farcical) 3 2 

Pipes and Perdition (a funny Mother-in-Law piece) 2 

Dot Mat Tog (Dutch and Irish courtship) 2 

His First Brief (elicits shouts of laughter) 3 

Dot Quied Lotchings (Dutch boarding-house sketch) 5 

My Precious Betsey (indescribably funny) 4 

The Ould Man's Coat-Tafls (Irish farce) 3 

A Happy Pair (their quarrels and making-up are very entertaining) i i 

Picking up the Pieces (brilliant dialogue ; old bachelor and widow)., i i 

Cut Off With a Shilling (snappy, funny and brisk) 2 i 

Uncle's Will (one of the best of the short plays) 2 i 

A Case for Eviction (bright, with a comic climax) I 2 

A Pretty Piece of Business (always "takes") 2 3 

Who is Who ? (makes 40 minutes of laughter) 3 2 

Second Sight (or " Your Fortune for a Dollar ") 4 i 

That Rascal Pat (the leading character is a blundering Irishman) 3 2 

Good for Nothing (" Nan" is always well recei/ed) 5 1 

An Unexpected Fare (humorous scene at an "afternoon tea ") r 5 

Ice on Parle Francais (one prolonged hurrah of fun) 3 4 

The Rough Diamon < (dialogue and situations excellent) 4 3 

Jumbo Jum (full of genuine humor and fun) 4 3 

A Quiet Family (fetches shouts of laughter) , 4 4 

My Lord in Livery (provokes uproarious mirth) 5 3 

A Regular Fix (an old favorite that always goes well) 6 4 

HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher, 132 Nassau Si., N. Y. 



4 t 



7 



THE LOST NEW YEAR 



A PLAY IN TWO SCENES 



FOR CHIIvDREN 




BY V 

ELEANOR MAUD CRANE 



Copyright, 1897, by Harold Roorbach 





NEW YORK 
HAROLD ROORBACH, PUBLISHER 

132 Nassau Street 



^c-/:4' 



AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 
TO MY SISTER, 

IB. /ID* Crane. 



TMP92-008958 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



CHARACTERS REPRESENTED, 



New Year. 
Father Time. 
Mother Nature. 

r Spring. 

FOUR SEASONS. ]S™«^^^ 

[ Winter. 

Flora, Queen of Flowers, 

f Rose. 

Daisy. 

t7 ,„T.T,o Buttercup. 

Flowers. \ ^^^^^^^ 

Poppy. 
Forget-Me- 



Old Year. 

Night. 

Queen of the Butterflies. 

fisT Butterfly. 
2D Butterfly. 
3D Butterfly. 
4TH Butterfly. 

Mab, Queen of the Fairies. 

1ST Fairy. 



Fairies. 



Not. 
Herald. 



2D Fairy. 
3D Fairy. 
4TH Fairy. 
5TH Fairy. 
5th Fairy, 



Time of Representation. — 45 Minutes. 



This little play was written for about thirty children, both boys and 
girls ; but by adding more Flowers, Fairies and Butterflies, it will 
suit any number of children. The cast may be made smaller by hav- 
ing only one each of the above-mentioned characters. 

The Fairies and Butterflies should be very little girls and boys 
from three to six years. The Flower-girls should average seven or 
eight years ; the Seasons, nine or ten. Night, Flora, Time, Nature, 
the Old and New Years may be acted by older children, and the 
Herald should be about seven years old. 

The representation is much prettier when little dances are introduced 
for the Fairies, Butterflies and Seasons ; and these are made more 
effective by the use of colored lights. 

The wings are made of wire bent into the desired shape, and covered 
with gauze. An edging of tinsel adds to the effect. Two hooks should 
be sewed to the wings and corresponding eyes sewed to the shoulders 
of the children's dresses, to hold the wings in place. 

3 



THE LOST NEW YEAR, 



COSTUMES. 



Father Time. — Red robe, full sleeves. Imitation ermine cloak, white 
wig and beard, scythe and hour-glass. Outing flannel made to imitate 
ermine may be botight at any large dry-goods shop for ten cents a 
yard. Cotton wadding, on which small triangular bits of black muslin 
have been sewed, is a fair representation of ermine. The scythe 
should be cut from heavy cardboard, and the blade part covered with 
silver paper. The hour-glass should be made of two circular pieces of 
wood with thin gauze tacked around the edges and tied in the middle. 

Old Year. — Black suit, cape and peaked cap, edged with imitation 
ermine. White beard. He should carry mistletoe and a banner with 
the date of the Old Year in large letters. 

New Year. — Golden-haired child if possible White suit, large 
w^hite wings and banner bearing the date of the New Year. 

Mother Nature — White dress, with long green cloak ; sceptre and 
flowers. 

Spring. — In bright green, with clusters of wild flowers, wreath of 
wild flowers. Maypole. 

Summer. — Red, white and blue cambric dress, with tiny flags in the 
hair. 

Autumn. — Yellow gown with autumn leaves carelessly scattered 
over it ; basket of grapes and chrysanthemums, and crown of red 
leaves. 

Winter. — White dress profusely covered w-ith tinsel and holly. 
Carries a small tree or pine branch. 

Fairies. — Tulle dresses of bright colors, made very full and decorated 
with stars. Wings edged with tinsel. Wands, and stars on fairies' 
heads. 

Butterflies. — Large wings made by covering wire wdth black 
tissue paper, edged with shaded ^-ellow and black crepe paper. 
Pointed black vest with yellow ribbon stripes. 

Flowers. — Rose, pink ; Daisy, yellow and white ; Buttercup, yellow ; 
Violet, lavender and purple ; Poppy, bright red ; Forget-Me-Not, blue. 
All the dresses should be trimmed'with real or artificial flowers, and 
the children should carry baskets and wear wreaths. 

Herald, — Blue and gold sateen suit. Three-cornered hat and 
trumpet. 

Flora. — Pink sateen dress trimmed with green ruffles and draped 
with smylax. Wreath and basket of flowers. 

Night. — Full black gauze dress covered with small gold paper stars. 
Black wings edged with tinsel. Wand bearing crescent and star. 
Crown of gilt stars. 



The abbreviations r., i.. and c. mean, respectively. Right, Left and 
Centre, as the performers face the audience. 



The incidental music in this play cannot be reprinted in the book 
because of copyright objections. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



SCENE I. — A wood. Large r us fie ehair, draped ivith flow- 
ers, 171 background. A small log, R. A march is played as 
the cjcrfain rises, and six little girls dressed to represent 
flo'ivers march upon the stage and take places : ROSE, 
Daisy and Forget-Me-Not, r.; Poppy, Buttercup and 
Violet, l. 

Flowers (jzXi^. Air, " Clementine ").* 

From the mountain, from the meadow. 

From the hillside and the glen, 
We have wandered, we have vanished ; 

But we soon will bloom again. 
We are roses {all bow), we are daisies {bow), 

We are flowers {bow) bright and fair ; 
And we live for those who love us — 

And you'll find us everywhere. 

Rose {advancing to C). 

Twine a wreath of roses 

From the garden bed ; 
Queen of all the flowers — 

Pink or white or red. 

Daisy {advancing to Rose's r.). 

Twine a wreath of daisies. 

Blossoming so bright ; 
Dancing in the meadows, 
Morning, noon and night 

Forget-Me-Not {advancing to L. of ROSEJ. 
Twine a wreath of flowers 

Robed in palest blue ; 
Making all the hillside 
Fair for me and you. 

* The music will be found in " College Songs," published by C. H. DiTSON & Co., 867 
Broadway, New York. Price 50 cents. 



6 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Violet {advancing to r. of Daisy). 
Violets are growing 

In the velvet grass. 
Sweetest of the flowers, 

Pick them as you pass. 

Poppy {stands at Forget-Me-Not's l.). 

Twine a wreath of poppies. 

Bending low their heads ; 
Bowing to the breezes, 

In the flower-beds. 

Buttercup {stands at Poppy's l.). 

Sing a song of seasons ; 
Something fair in ail. 
Buttercups in springtime, ' 
Gold en rod in fall. 
[Flowers retake their places: ROSE, Daisy and 
Forget-Me-Not r. ; Poppy, Buttercup and Vio- 
let L. 

.£"iVr^7? Queen «;f^ Butterflies; they march to front of stage. 

Butterflies. Over the clover, 

Blooming so red, 
Bowing so deeply 

Each honeyed head ; 
Skimming past daisies, 

Golden and white. 
Tenderly holding 

Soft rays of light ; 
Snatching a kiss 

From the lips of the rose, 
Hovering o'er beds v^here 

Tall lily blows, 
Winning a smile from 

Each passer-by ; 
Who does not envy me, ^Boiv, 

Gay butterfly ! 

Queen of Butterflies. 

Dancing in mid-air. 

Just from delight ; 
Never a care from 

Morning till night. 
Then when a black cloud 

Foretells a shower, 
Resting a while in 

The heart of a. flower. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 7 

Asking the sweet-peas 

Why they don't fly, 
Teasing the honey-bees 

Working near by, 
Fanning the fairies 

With bright, merry wing, 
I have but one regret — 

Wish I could sing. 

1ST Butterfly. 

All the glad summer 

Dancing away — 
Why waste the hours 

Working each day ? 
Coaxing the lady-bugs 

Out of the blues ; 
Telling the spiders 

The latest of news ; 
Lunching with roses 

In cool shady spots ; 
Dining at eve with 

Forget-me-nots ; 
Then when the night sends 

The dark shadows down* 
Watching the fire-flies 

Whirling around. 

All the Butterflies. 

Hearing between dreams, 

All the night long, 
The blithe cricket singing 

His queer little song, 
Harming no creature 

From morn till eve, 
Every one loves me, 

I do believe. 
Why look for rainbows 

Up in the sky ? 
My wings are brighter 

Whene'er I fly. 
Deeply I pity 

Bird, bug and bee ; 
They would so gladly 

Exchange with me. 
[EXEUNT three smallest^\5Tl:'£.'s^.v\A^%, Queen and 
First Butterfly j/a«^, ofte -r., the other l., by 
Flowers. 



8 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Flowers ^^^ Butterflies {si7ig. Air, "Clementine "),. 
We are waiting, we are watching 

For our Queen so fair and bright. 
And she promised she would meet us 

E'er the stars, with twinkling light, 
Peeping through the clouds of evening 

Tell to us the day is past. 
Then our watch will be rewarded. 

For our Queen will come at last. 

ENTER Flora, adva7ici7ig to front of stage between the two 
lines of Flowers, who are all bowing. 

Flowers. Flora, Flora, low we bow before her ; 

One and all adore her, Flora our Queen. 
Crown the Queen of Flowers — 
Summer winds and showers — 
Making bright her hours ; 
Crown her the Queen. 

Flora. The Queen of the Flowers, 

With summer I come ; 
When gay birds are singing 

And golden bees hum ; 
With buds and with blossoms 

So green and so fair, 
I cover the tree-tops, 

And perfume the air. 
I carpet the earth, 

And brighten each spot 
With roses and daisies 

And forget-me-not. 
A bright little band 

In red, white and blue ; 
Oh, all ye glad people, 

I bring them to you. 
\^All join hands and sing. Air, " Clementine." 

Flowers. Now we are so gay and happy, 

And our hearts are light and free ; 
And we dance with joyous pleasure 
Round our Queen so fair to see. 
{Drop hands and bow.) 

We are Roses, we are Daisies ; 

We are Butterflies so fair ; 
And we live for those who love us, 
And you'll find us everywhere. 
[Flora seats herself in rustic chair; Queen of 
Bihterflies af her r. ; First Butterfly at her l. 



THE LOST NE VV YEA A'. 9 

ENTER Night, R. ; crosses stage diagonally and stands at L. 

Night. Flowers, hang your weary heads ; 

Yox the children seek their beds. 
Close your petals, wet with dew ; 
' Now the sun is sleeping too. 
Little birds have sunk to rest, 
Hidden safe in leafy nest. 
Stars are shining up so high, 
And the moon is in the sky. 
Softly dreaming, sweetly sleep ; 
O'er your slumbers watch I'll keep. 
[Flowers group themselves about their Queen, and 
close their eyes. A loud knock is heard. 

Night. Away, away, away, 

Until the dawn of day ! 
I have brought refreshing sleep, 
And I promised rest to keep. 
Away, away, away ! 

ENTER Mother Nature {in disguise) and New Year. 

Night {pointing to Flowers). 

Disturb not their slumbers, 
For sweetly they lie. 
What ill wind has sent thee to me ? 
Pray answer me softly. 
Ah, why dost thou sigh ? 
And whom hast thou brought here with thee ? 

Mother Nature. 

I walk the earth, and find what evils dwell 
In sun and shadow, field, and glen and dell. 
I listen to the secrets the tiniest insects tell ; 
I govern all the earth, and try to rule it well. 

Night. 

And who art thou that darest to claim sway ? 
Th6u may'st, I don't deny, be Queen of. day. 

But I alone can rule the Night. Now. pray, - 

Thou ancient Dame, leave us in peace — away ! 

Mother Nature. 

Why should I go ? Though you be Queen of Night, 
I govern Earth's remotest bounds aright. 
And, more than Earth, the -blue, ethereal sea, 
The sun, the moon, the stars, obeisance owe to me. 



1 



lo THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Why should I go ? You hold your tiny court, -^ 

And govern Earth, I doubt not, as you ought. 
I started Earth upon its course so free. 
The music of the spheres is heard by me. 

Why should I go ? At my command alone 
The lightning flashes — heavy thunders groan. 
Each tiny plant asks my consent to live ; 
Life, death and ceaseless change I joy to give. 

Why should I go ? I am beloved by all. 

For I am Mother Nature. {Throwing off disguise.) At 

my call 
All creatures answer — e'en the dear ones here. 
Awake, awake, beloved. I am here ! 

[Flowers and Butterflies awake, retake their 
places and sing, all pointing to Mother Nature. 
Air : " The Battle Hymn of the Republic. 
Chorus. 
Oh, thou hast seen the glory of the making of the world. 
Thou wast there at the commencement when the skies were all 

unfurled. 
Thou hast gazed upon the mighty rocks that mountains upward 
hurled. 

Thou still dost watch o'er all. 

Oh, we see thee in the oceans, when the storms are raging round, 
In the silent mines beneath the woods thou art forever found. 
In every thing that lives and breathes, and walks upon the 
ground. 

Thou still dost watch o'er all. 
Flora {pointing to Flowers). 

Mother Nature, I resign. 
All of these are surely thine. 
Every floweret on earth 
Owes to thee its life and birth. 
Night. Mother Nature, grant me pardon. 
Take my sceptre and my crown. 
I but meant to guard my children. 
Now before thee I bow down. 
Mother Nature. 
I must away. 

For there is work to do. 
But ere I leave. 

This child I trust to you. \Presenti71g New Year. 

Watch o'er him closely, or Time is at an end. 
But guard himwell, and Nature is thy friend. [ 

\EXIT Nature. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Flora {to New Year). 

Speak, child, and tell us — 

Why were you brought here ? 
Where is your home ? — tor 

Mother Nature dear 
Left you to us ; but why we do not know. 
Whence did you come, and whither would you go ? 

New Year. 

I came from regions far away 

And earthward I was speeding, 
* But lost my way one darksome night 

And, weary, worn, and bleeding, 
I slipped and fell from dizzy height 

Till Mother Nature caught me, 
And tended me with gentle care 

Until she hither brought me. 
So, please direct me on my way, 

Good Flora, Queen of Flowers ; 
Because I am the glad New Year 

And bring the golden hours. 
The Old Year dies, I must away 

To where the bells are ringing ; 
Or Earth will miss its greetings gay 

And happy New Year singing. 

Night {to Flora). 

Come, let us tell him that he is too late ; 

And that the world for him would not wait. 

He then will stay with us and never leave. 

Why should we care how much the world will grieve ? 

Though he has time to reach the earth below, 

I have decided not to tell him so. 

If we can keep him with us till the year 

Runs out its course, why, then 1 need not fear. 

For Night will last until eternity ; 

I shall be Queen of earth and sky and sea. 

Flora {to New Year). 

'Twould give me much pleasure, 

And joy beyond measure. 
To show you, O New Year so fair, 

The way to the earth. 

Filled with sorrow and mirth. 
But, indeed, 'tis too late to go there. 

The Old Year's departed— 

Don't think me hard-hearted 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



Because 1 am telling you this — 
Just stay here with us 
And make no more fuss ; 
Come, rest in our country of bliss. 
New Year {despairt7tgly). 

What shall I do 

And whither shall I go ? 
Time will stand still, 

And earth be tilled with woe. 
The stars will fall 

Into the raging sea. 
Oh, why did this 

Misfortune come to me ! 
[Seats himself on small log ^., and buries face i7i his 
hands. 
Flora. As thou art lost, 

Then night will ever stay ; 
And there will never 
Dawn another day. 
Night. I, then, am Queen, be it understood. 

'Tis an ill wind blows no creature good. 
ENTER Herald. 
Herald. 

Away, away, the morn is brightly breaking ; 
Away, away, all care and toil forsaking. 

Away, away, away, away, away, 
For the merry morn is telling 
Of a bright and joyous day. 
Night. What does this mean ? 

Hark, that sound ! 
Dawn is breaking 

All around. 
I thought that I 

Would ever stay 
Now, alas ! 
I must away. 

[EXIT Night. 
ENTER Fairies, advajicifig. 
Fairies. One, two, three. 

One, two, three, 
Here we are 
Full of glee. 
Dance and song, 
Song and dance, 

This way step, [Pointing with right foot. 
And that way glance. {Shadiiig eyes. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 13 

One, two, three, [Retreating. 

One, two, three, 

So we sing 

Merrily. 

Fairies come, 

Just at dawn, 

Welcoming 

Day new-born. 

Two, three, four, {Advancing. 

Two, three, four. 

Always room 

For one more. 

Do you dance ? 

[^rtT^i^r^Ji-ZW^-BUTTERFLY OUEEN. 
Can you sing ? 
Have you, too, 
Gauzy wing ? 
Four, live; six, 
Four, five, six, 
Oh, what fun 
Playing tricks ! 

Round and round, \F0r7ning a circle. 
Here and there. 
Not a pain — 
Not a care. 

Flowers, please \Beckoni71g to P^LOWERS. 
Come and play. 

Now be glad, [Flowers y^/« Fairies. 
Now be gay. 
Eight, nine, ten, 

[Alternate Fairies and Flowers. 
Eight, nine, ten ; 
Swell our ranks 
Round again. 

Who is this [Pointing to New Year. 
Resting here ? 
Can it be 
The New Year ? 
Will you join 
In our dance ? 
This way step — - 

[Pointing with right foot. 
That way glance. 

[Shading eyes with left hand. 
New Year. Fret me not, 

Let me die ; 
In this spot 
I must lie. 



14 THE LOST NEW YEAR, 

Bury me 
Underground, 
Where I'll hear 
Not a sound. 
I have brought 
Woe to all. 
Earth will stand, 
Stars will fall. 
Woe is me, 
I'm undone ! 
Let me hide 
From the sun. 

Fairies {beckoning). 

Come and play, 
Come and play ; 
What care we 
For the day 1 
Seasons come, 
Summers go, 
Still we dance 
[Joining hands and swaying from side to side. 
To and fro. 
So forget 
Pain and grief. 
Dancing now 
Brings relief. 

Come and dance ; {^Beckoning. 

Come and sing ; 
Come and join 
In our ring. 

New Year. Yes, I will 

Join your ring. 

Troubles far 

I will fling. 

I can sing, 

I can dance ; 

This way step, [Points with right foot. 

That way glance. 

[Shades eyes with left hand. 
One, two, three, 
One, two, three, 
Here I find 
Room forme. 
\Takes position at right of Fairy Queen. 

CURTAIN. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



SCENE II. — Same as before, with the exception of a settee in 
place of rustic chair. Curtain rises to music. 

ENTER Herald and Father Time. 

Father Time. Swift to its close 

Runs out another year. 
A few more hours 
And it will be gone. 
Bent now with age 
Doth the Old Year appear. 

ENTER Old Year. 

He will not live 
To see another dawn. 
Call now the seasons, 
Ere they wing their flight 
Into the happy realms 
Of joy and light. 

[EXIT Herald. Old Year steps to front of stage. 
Old Year. 

The year was very long, my dear, 

The year was very long. 
I brought the laugh and song, my dear, 

I brought both laugh and song. 
I rested not by shady spot, 
On mountain, hill or lea. 
Through ice and snow I still did go, 

O'er river, lake and sea. 
In summer's heat and winter's sleet 

And burning August suns. 
The whole year through, till unto you, 
My dearest little ones, 
■ I come at last ; arid swift and fast 
I scatter thick and free 
The mistletoe to l«t you know 
The year will die with me. 

[Bows and returns to back of stage. 

ENTER Mother Nature. 

Mother Nature. 

You forgot, dear Father Time, 
When you gave your invitation, 



1 6 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

That I rule both the sky and sea, 

Every kingdom, tribe and nation. 
You are Time, forever standing, 
I {bowing) am Nature, all commanding. 

Father Time. ~ 

Madame, pardon I implore ; 

Condescend to share my throne. 
You shall rule forevermore ; 
Nature, thou art great alone. 

\Boih seat themselves upon the settee. 



Herald. 



ENTER Herald. 

With joyous laugh and merry shout, 
All the Seasons stand without. 



ENTER Spring, advancing to front of stage. 

Spring. 

I am Spring, and all the land 
Wakes to life beneath my hand. 
The snow doth melt beneath my tread, 
And brooklets leap from icy bed. 

\Bows ajid takes position up R. 

ENTER Summer, advancing to front. 

Summer. 

Summer days appear with me, 
Warmer winds and breezes free. 
Golden fruits and blooming flowers, 
And the lazy, dreamy hours. 

]^Bo'Ws, and takes position down R. 

ENTER Autumn, advancing to front. 

Autumn. 

Autumn days appear with me, 
Falling leaf and fading tree. 
All the swallows southward fly. 
And the flowers fade' and die.-" ' - 

\Bows and fakes position up L. 

ENTER Winter, advancing to front. 

Winter, /am Winter, and I throw 

O'er the world my robe of snow. 
Ice-bound lakes and wintry joys 
Bring delight to girls and bqys. 

\Bow s and takes position down L. 



THE LOST NE W YEA R. 1 7 

Seasons {all step to front of stage and join hands). 
Here we are, a happy band ; 
Hand in hand, hand in hand, 
Up and down the world we go 
To and fro, to and fro. 
You would miss us should we stay 
Far away, far away. 
Sun and clouds, wind and rain, 
In our train, in our train. 
Turn by turn throughout the year, 
We appear, we appear. 
Long as Time his course will run, 
One by one, one by one. 
You will see us without fail 
Snow and hail, snow and hail. 
Flowers, fruits and frosts we bring 
As we sing, as we sing. 
Winter (Winter bows), Summer {bo'ws)^ 

Spring {bows), and Fall {bows). 
Each and all, each and all. 
We are sisters, tried and true. 
Ever old and ever new. 
yidiy yourWi^ be full of cheer 
Through the year, through the year. 

[Seasons take former positions on stage. 

Spring. 

I wash the windows of the world ; 

Then smile until they're dry. 

I sweep the earth and sky and sea ; 

I laugh and then I cry. 

I bring to all refreshing showers. 

And welcome all the springtime flowers. 

Summer. 

I close each school, and stretch my hand 

O'er every garden in the land. 

The summer fruit drops from the tree ; 

The golden corn waves merrily. 

Songs of liberty I sing, 

Independence day I bring. 

Autumn. Now the summer days are over. 
Faded all the rosy clover ; 
And the winter is approaching , 

With its sleighing and its noise. * 



l8 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

We look forward to the snowing, 
And the bitter north wind blowing, 
For Jack Frost is still a favorite 
With the merry girls and boys. 

Winter. 

I come with greeting glad and gay 

To bring the joyous Christmas day. 

I scatter gifts and presents free, 

And crown the year with Christmas tree. 

And " Peace on earth, Good Will to Men," 

Re-echo o'er the world again. 

\The Seasons dance. 

Father Time {advancing to front of stage and addressing 
Old Year). 

You have nobly done your part, 

Found your way to every heart; 

You have kept with merry glee 

Every anniversary. 

But your course at last is run, 

And your work has all been done. 

Now we would, with joyous cheer, \Turns front. 

Welcome in another year. 

Seasons, cease your merry din. 

Herald, call the New Year in. 

Herald. I have called with ringing shout, 
But no New Year stands without. 

Father Time. 

What you say can't be true. 
Such a thing will not do. 
Ne'er before did we wait ; 
Never was New Year late. 
Far below, all the earth 
Waits to cheer New Year's birth. 
Messengers send around ; 
Search the sea, air and ground. 

Seasons. Here's a state of things ! 
Trouble now it brings. 
Oh, there'll be a great commotion 
In the sky, the earth and ocean 
E'er the hour rings ! 

^ • Here's a how-d'ye-do ! 

Come to me smdj^ou. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



19 



Ninety-seven's lost, they say. 

[Or " The New Year is lost," etc. 
Ninety-six is bent and gray. 

[Or '' The Old Year is bent," etc. 
Pray what shall we do ? 

ENTER Night. 

Night. Mother Nature, Father Time, 
Pardon grant, I pray. 
The child you trusted to my care 
Has wandered far away, 
And where he is I do not know ; 
I have sear-ched the world below. 

Mother Nature. 

Send for Flora ; maybe she 

Will tell us where the child can be. 

ENTER Flora. 

Flora. May every summer bring thee joy, 
And every winter cheer ; 
May springtime bring thee happiness, 
And autumn crown the year. 

Seasons {kneeling). 

Flora, Flora, tell us, pray. 

Hast thou seen the New Year? 
He has wandered far away, 

And is lost we now fear. 

Flora. My flowers are sleeping 

In winter's cold arm. 
The bare trees are watching 

To keep them from harm. 
But I will awake them 

And bring them to you. 
All clad in their glory 

Of red, white and blue. 
Perhaps they can tell you 

Where New Year is straying, 
For with him last evening 

I know they were playing. [EXIT FLORA. 

Spring. She will return, and with her bring 
The sweetest buds of early spring. 

Summer. And all the summer's brilliant flowers 

Will come with her from shaded bowers. 



20 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Autumn. And in her train she will bring all 
The ripened blossoms of the fall. 

Winter. She comes and now we'll surely hear 
Good tidings of the missing year. 

ENTER Flora with Flowers, who advance to front of stage. 

Mother Nature. 

You beautiful buds of long vanished hours, 

We welcome with joy. Speak to us, O flowers ! 
Whom left you behind in darkness below ? 

When once you have answered, in peace you may go. 

Flowers. 

We come from regions underground, 

We left our silent beds, 
We left the earth so dark and warm, 

Where snowdrifts rose above our heads. 
At Flora's wish, w^e upward rise. 
Until we meet you in the skies. 

Seasons. Flowers, flowers, tell us pray, 

Have you seen the New Year ? 
He has wandered far away 
And is lost we now fear. 

Flowers. We will call the butterflies ; 

They will tell you where he lies. 

ENTER Butterflies. 

Seasons. Butterflies, 

Tell us, pray ; 

Have you seen 

The New Year ? 

He has wandered far away, 

And is lost we now fear. 

Butterflies. 

The fairies hold him in their spell ; 
We know that they will guard him well. 

Father Time. 

Now the fairies quickly bring, 
E'er the midnight hours ring. 

ENTER Fairies. 

Fairies. One, two. three. 

One, two, three. 
Here we are 

Full of nrlee. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR. 



Father Time. 



Dance and song, 
Song and dance. 
This way step, 
That way glance. 

Cease your singing 
And your dancing, 

This way stepping, 
That way glancing. 



Seasons. Fairies, fairies, tell us, pray, 

Have you seen the New Year ? 
He has wandered far away, 
And is lost we now fear. 



Fairies. The New Year 

Is with us. 
Do not fear, 

Make no fuss. 
He is safe 

In our care. 
He is young. 

He is fair ; 
He can sing. 

He can dance. 
This way step. 

That way glance. 



[Poini with foot. 
[Shade eyes. 



[Point with foot. 
[Shade eyes. 



Seasons. Bring him quickly, 

For we wait. 

Why does he stay so late ? 
The Old Year dies to-night. 
We have had such a fright. 
You have done very wrong, 
Bidding him stay so long. 

Night. Listen to me. Father Time, 

For the reason's clear ; 
Now at last I understand 

Why the glad New Year 
Has not come to take his place — 
Why from us he hides his face. 
As I wished to be the Queen 

Of the sky and sea, 
I told the New Year yester-e'en 

That too late he'd be. 
I thought that I could ever reign ; 
But my hopes were all in vain. 



22 THE LOST NEW YEAR. 

Fairies. He did weep, 

He did sigh ; 
Bitterly 

He did cry. 
He was in 

Such a plight. 
For he said, 

Just last night. 
When the clock 

Did strike one, 
That he was 

All undone. 
But for him 

We did dance — 
This way step \Point with foot. 

That way glance. {Shade eyes. 

And for him we did sing 
Till he joined in our ring. 

Father Time. 

Fairies, quickly bring him here, 

Or he will be late in truth. 
The Old Year must depart, I fear. 
And we need the New Year's youth. 
{Exeunt Fairies. Song by Seasons, Butterflies 
and Flowers. Air, " Baby is a Sailor Boy." * 

Now the bells begin to toll. 
Come, New Year, come ; 
And the echoes loudly roll, 
Come, New Year, come. 
Come, New Year ; come, New Year ; come. New Year, come ! 
Come, New Year ; come, New Year ; come New Year, come ! 
[Old Year advances to front of stage and bows to 
audience. 
Old Year. Good-bye. [Retires. 

ENTER Fairies with New Year. 

Fairies. One, two three, 

One, two, three. 
Here we are 
Full of glee. 
Father Time 
Calls for thee. 
New Year, now 
Come with me, 

*The music will be found in Heilman's " Songs and Rhymes," published by J. W. 
ScHERMERHORN & Co., No. 3 East 14th Street, New York. Price ^1.25. 



THE LOST NEW YEAR, 23 

Here he is ; 
Loudly cheer. 
Welcome in 
Your New Year. 
\Song by . all on the stage. Air, " Johnnie Comes 
Marching Home Again."* 

The New Year glad has come at last. 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
And all our care and trouble's past. 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
Oh, we will dance, and we will sing, 
And every bell we'll gladly ring. 
And we'll all shout with joy, to think 
That the New Year's found at last. 



TABLEAU. 

New Year on one knee, c. Alternate Fairies and Butter- 
flies grouped around him. Poppy, Daisy and Rose, r. 
Forget-Me-Not, Buttercup and Violet, l. Seasons 
at four corners of stage. Father Time, Mother Na- 
ture, Night and Queen of Flowers in background. 

CURTAIN. 

*The music can be obtained fiom the publisher of this book, or from C. H. Ditson 
& Co., 867 Broadway, New York. Price 35 cents. 



^ Dramas and Comedies ^ 

W (15 CENTS EACH.) ^ 

S M. F. j^ 

^ Imogene ; or, The Witch's Secret. Strong and realistic drama ; 4 ^ 

W acts ; 2 J4^ hours 84^ 

^ Crawford's " Claim " (" Nugget Nell "). 4 acts ; good, rattling ^ 

\ Western drama ; 2% hours g 3 ^ 

W Tried and True. Drama of city life ; 3 acts ; 2j^ hours 83^ 

A " Strife ! " (" Master and Men '). The great Labor drama ; 3 acts ; }k 

\ 2j< hours 9 4a 

W Under a Cloud. Bright and pleasing comedy-drama; 2 acts: 1^ ^ 

^ hours 5 ^ ^ 

\ Saved From the Wrecl(. Drama ; serio-comic ; 3 acts ; 2 hours 83^ 

9 Between Two Fires. Drama ; military plot ; 3 acts ; 2 hours ^ 3 W 

^ By Force of Impulse. (" Oif to the War "). Comic and emotional ; 5 ^ 

^ acts ; 2 J^ hours 9 3^ 

^ The Wovea Web. Drama; strong and sparkli^; 4 acts ; 2% hours... 73^ 

Uncle Toms Cabin. An old favorite, re-wntten so that it can be ^ 

played in any hall ; 5 acts ; 2^ hours 7 5^ 

My Awful Oad. A side-splitting comedy ; 3 acts , 2 hours 6 6^ 

"Engaged.'* Society comedy; full of burlesque fun; 3 acts; 2^ hours.. 5 5^ 

The Wanderer's Return (" Enoch Arden "). Drama, with a strong ^ 

plot and effective characters ; 4 acts ; 2% hours 6 4 # 

The Cr'cket on the Hearth. Dickens' story dramatized; 3 acts; 2 hours. 6 6^ 

"Slngte" Life. Uproariously funny comedy; bachelors and spin- ^ 

sters ; 3 acts ; 2 hours 5 5^ 

HAarrled Life. A companion piece, equally comic ; 5 married ^ 

couples ; 3 acts ; 2 hours 5 S ^ 

"Our Boys." Comedy; always succeeds; 3 acts ; 2 hours 6 ^ S 

NTiriam's Crima. Excellent serio-comic drama, with mirth as well as A 



i 



\ 



pathos ; 3 acts ; a hours 5 



* 



^ Megs Diversion. Drama; pathetic, humorous and picturesque; 2 ^ 

^ acts ; i5^ hours 5 3 \ 

W A Scrap of Paper. Comedy ; full of healthy fun ; 3 acts; 2 hours 6 6 W 

m Woodcock's Little Game. Farce-comedy ; extravagantly funny ; 2 ^ 

^ acts ; I hour 4 4 \ 

W Lady Audiey'S Secret. Emotional drama from Miss Braddon's novel ; W 

2 acts, I J^ hours 4 3 S 

Nol £0 Bad Afier All (" Is Marriage a Failure ? "). Comedy ; 3 acts ; ^ 

2 hours 00, 6 5 ^ 

TimO'Hv Delano's Courtship. Yankee Comedy ; 2 acts ; i hour 2 2 S 

Sweethearts. A beautiful comedy combining fun and pathos ; 2 acts ; ^ 

I hour ' 22^ 

Uncle Jack. Drama; comic, with a good moral ; i act; z% hours.... 3 4 i^ 

Rebecca and Rowena. Burlesque comedy dramatized from Scott's ^ 

"Ivanhoe" ; 5 acts ; i hour 3 3 ^ 

Home. Comedy ; fresh dialogue and genuine humor combined with a A 

^ very strong plot ; 3 acts ; 2 hours 4 3 ^ 

^ Caste. Comedy that always delights the public ; 3 acts ; 2% hours. .. 5 3 W 

A The Triple Wedding. Short, excellent drama of home life; 3 acts; J^ 

▼ lyi hours 4 4 \ 

# All that Glitters is Not Gold (" The Factory Girl'), Comic Drama f 

A of great force ; 2 acts 6 3 ^ 

T Not Such a Fool as He Looks. Comedy; alternate sentiment and ^ 

^ roaring fun; 3 acts; 2^4 hours 5 4 ^ 

^ Solon Shingle (" The People's Lawyer "). Yankee Comedy; 2 acts; ^ 

▼' i/^ hours 72^ 

^ Out in the Str'eetS. Drama; always received with enthusiasm; 3 ^ 

acts ; I hour 6 4 > 

Broken Promises. 5 acts ; a strong temperance play of unflagging in- ^ 

terest, relieved with much eccentric humor; i?4' hours 6 3 

Ten Nights in a Barroom. 5 acts ; plavs 2 hours ; new and simplified ^ 

■ version of an old favorite that will draw hundreds where other W 

S pl:»ys draw dozens 7 4 ^ 

J HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher. 132 Nassau St., N. Y. \ 



Dramas and Comedies 

(AT 25 CENTS EACH.) M. I 

Breaking His Bonds. Strong Drama with comic underplay: 4 acts', 

2 hours 6 

The Jail Bird. Drama of city life, containing a vivid plot with well 

diversified interest ; 5 acts ; 2^ hours 6 

Golden Gulch ("The Government Scout"). Drama that combines 

fun, sentiment and exciting situations ; 3 acts ; 2%. hours 11 

The Man from Maine. Comedj'^-drama with a wide-awake hero from 

" down East " ; 5 acts ; 2.]/^ hours g 

Shaun Aroon. Stirring Drama of Home Life in Ireland; 3 acts; 2 

hours 7 

"The Deacon." Comedy-drama that is simply immense; old-man 

leading character ; 5 acts ; 2%. hours 6 

What's Next? Farce-comedy; 3 acts ; plays 150 minutes; raises 150 

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The New Partner, Comedy-drama; strong plot, moving episodes and 

roaring comedy ; 3 acts ; 2^ hours 8 

losiah's Courtship. Farcical Comed^J^-Drama; uproarious comedy 

features alternate with forceful, but not heavy, pathos ; 4 acts ; 

2 hours 7 

Erin Go Bragh. An up-to-date Irish Drama in 3 acts; plays 2 hours; 

both serious and comic in scope ; not sensational 5 

Plays for Female Characters Only 

(15 CENTS EACH.) M. F 

Who's to Inherit ? i act ; brisk and comic 

Mrs. Willis' Will, i act ; neat, funny and bright 

My Aunt's Heiress, i act ; has a " Cinderella " plot i 

The "Sweet" Family. Musical, wise and otherwise; will make a 

mummy laugh 

A Lesson in Elegance (" The Glass of Fashion "). Society comedy ; 

I act 

Murder Will Out. i act ; humorous, with a moral 

A Slight Mistake. lact; enforces a moral in a comic way 

Fast Friends, i net ; society quarrel and reconciliation 

A Fair Encounter, lact; bright, with a diamond-cut-diamond plot.. 









% 



Plays for Male Characters Only ^ 

(is CENTS EACH.) M. F. ^ 



(IS CENTS EACH.) M. F. 

The Lost Heir. Drama In 3 acts ; excellent plot of unfla£-ging interest. 10 

" Medica." Roaring farce in i act ; sure to please 7 

Wanted, A Confidential Clerk. Farce in i act; comic and spirited... 6 

Old Cronies. Farce in i act ; rollicking fun all through 2 

April Fools. Farce in i act ; brisk, bright and comic 3 

The Darkey Wood Dealer. Farce in i act ; always scores a success... 3 

Mischievous Bob. Comic drama in i act ; good moral 6 

The Wrong Bottle. Temperance sketch in i act 2 

Well Fixed for a Rainy Day. Temperance Drama in i act 5 

The Harvest Storm. Drama in i act ; strong in its interest, with a 

comic underplot 10 

Furnished Apartments. Farce in i act ; very laughable in its absurd 

complications 5 

The Widow's Proposals. A " Widow Bedott " farce in i act 3 

A Manager's Trials. Farce in i act ; creates shouts of laughter 9 

The Bachelor's Bedroom (" Two in the Morning "). Farce in i act . . V 2 

The Dutchman in Ireland. Farce in i act ; good characters 3 

The Nigger Night Sc'lOOl. Farce in i act; a "screamer" with 

specialties 6 

A Holy Terror. _ Farce in _i act ; white or black faces; specialties can 

be worked in ; uproariously funny 4 

HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher, 132 Nassau St., N. Y. 



IlimS™,.,?'' CONGRESS 



Exhibition Drills and Marches t 

(15 CENTS EACH.) 



The Bootblack Drill. A comic novelty drill for several boys or girls repre- ^ 

senting bootblacks. It is a living picture from real life, done in motion. W 

The Clown's Horn Dril^l. A fantastic drill and march for boys or young S 

men. The perform'er.s represent clowns who go through a comical man- > 

ual, with tin horns. '^ontains,.also, a dumb-bell exercise which may be T 

retained or omitted. ' _ (k 



The perform'er.s represent clowns who go through a comical man- 
with tin horns. '^ontains,.also, a dumb-bell exercise which may be 
ned or omitted. 

A Dutch Flirtation. A handke^rchief drill for small girls, which carries out 
a clever little comedy in movement. Simple, and short enough for little 



The Indian Huntresses'. A bow and 'arrow drill for girls of any age. Pict- \ 

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John Brown's Ten Little Injuns. A tomahawk march and drill for small i^ 

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The March of the Chinese Lanterns. A spectacular novelty drill and n-.arch A 

for girls or young ladies. The drill and calisthenics are novel, and the ^ 

march forms various graceful figureis and pretty tableaux. f 

Maud Muller Drill. _ A pretty pantomime drill for young ladies and gentle- A 

men. Appropriate passages selected from Tennyson's poem are recited T 

by a reader, while the story is acted out in marches, motions and poses. ^ 

Red Riding Hood Drill. A novelty story in drill and song, for little folks. A 

The story is represented in pantomime, with various figures, poses, mo- ^ 

tions and short songs. ^ 

Spring Garlands. A flower drill for young people of both sexes, represent- A 

ing maids and gallants of ye olden tyme. Graceful calisthenic poses, ^ 

evolutions with garlands and pretty marching figures, make v. very pict- ^ 
uresque and old-time effect. 

The Turk-ey Drill. A nonsense comedy song-drill for boys or young men , « . 

suggestion of Thanksgiving Day. ^ 

The Vestal Virgins. A spectacular taper-drill for girls or young ladies — a A 

Sybil and any number of virgins. Works out a classic theme with pretty ^ 

effect. Interwoven are pose-studies, marching figures and a gallery of ^ 
the Muses. 

The Witches' March and Broom Drill. A fantastic drill for girls or young ^ 

ladies, presenting a succession of contrasts in movement and pose. It is ^ 

quite novel and striking. ^ 



Various Entertainments 

(35 CENTS EACH.) 



^ 



# 



The Japanese Wedding. A pantomime representation of the wedding cere- \ 

mony as it is done in Japan. Requires 13 performers and lasts about 50 W 

minutes. Is exceedingly effective. 

\ An Old Plantation Night. _ A musical and elocutionary medley for a double 

W .quartet. Is not a " minstrel" show, but represents the life of the old- ^ 

A time darkies, interspersed with song and storj''. A 

^ The Gypsies' Festival. A musical entertainment for children, introducing ^ 

^ the Gypsy Queen, Fortune-teller, Yankee Peddler, and a chorus of Gyp- W 

A sies of any desired number. A 

^ The Court of King Christmas. A Cantata for young folks, representing the ^ 

^ Christmas preparations in Santa Claus land. Young people, from six to Y 

A sixty, are always delighted with it. A 

^ King Winter's Carnival. An operetta for children, with 10 speaking parts ^ 

Y and chorus. The action takes place in King Winter's apartments at the ^ 

A North Pole. Ends in a minuet. 

^ The Fairiesi' Tribunal. A juvenile operetta for 9 principal characters and a 

^ chorus. Interspersed are pretty motion-songs, dances and marches, a 

^ drill and some good tableaux. Entertains both old and young. 

5 HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher, 132 Nassau St., N. Y. 



# 



